I went on a Pokéwalk because I want to be the very best, like no-one ever was

I’ve spent the entire weekend walking around and playing Pokémon Go. Not only is it an amazing way to get outside, get exercise, and of course, be the very best like no one ever was; it’s also a great way to be social, meet people, and re-connect with friends.

I decided to interview friends of mine and then attend the Pokéwalk on the Boston Common to meet as many other Pokémon trainers as possible.

The event was hosted by StreetPass Boston, a 3DS/ Nintendo Meetup Group. I am currently a level 7, Team Instinct, and my name is LivnLove. My favorite Pokémon is Rapidash, but it will probably be a long time before I get a Ponyta and evolve it into Rapidash. My favorite Pokémon that I’ve  caught so far is a tie between my Jigglypuff and my Charmander.

Here’s what our fellow Pokémontrainers had to say when interviewed about the sensation that is Pokémon Go.

Aric/ zhukeeper, Blue (Team Mystic), Level 10, Westborough, MA

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“A marsh behind a neighbor’s yard.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“1 and a half years”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

Sylveon

Jessica Dresselaers / Cylene, Team Mystic, Level 11, Boston, MA

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in?  

“An Islamic Temple”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“Since they announced it! ”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

Clefairy

Josh Ferguson/ JorjiewithaJ, Team Instinct, Level 6, Reading, MA

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“A Home Depot Bathroom.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“Since apps have been a thing.”

What’s your favorite Pokemon? 

Totodile

Jess, Team Valor, York, ME

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in?

“Dover Ice Arena, past close.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“A year”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

Cloyster

Ricario/ Blue Moon X79, Team Valor, Level 9

Where are you from? 

“Born and raised in Memphis, TN. Live in Somerville, MA now!”

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“So far? Probably the board game shop I work at.”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

Garchomp!

Nick/ Mr.Mostly Mediocre, Team Instinct, Level 11, Brockton, MA

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“I wasn’t looking, but I found a Drowzee in the men’s room at the Cambridge Galleria.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“Since it was announced but at heart it’s been 20 years.”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

Blastoise

Team Jinn/ Jinn (interviewed as a group), Level 4, Plymouth, MA

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“Plymouth Rock and /or a Graveyard in Plymouth.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“One week.”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

Kabutos

Miz Sylver (Rydia Q Vielehr)/ Sylvercat, Team Valor, Level 10

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in?

“It wasn’t a Mew, but that Wartortle was suspiciously near a truck.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“MY ENTIRE LIFE”

Hamza/ Fusionist, Team Instinct, Level 13, Westport, CT

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“I ended up in an observatory I didn’t know existed. There were fences with high voltage warnings.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“I’ve been waiting since it was announced, which I think was in September. I didn’t think about it too much until a couple of months ago, though.”

Carly Rose, Team Mystic, Level 9,  Chicago, IL

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in? 

“I was riding the T from the city to BU’s campus and the whole ride I was looking for Pokémon and trying to get items at Pokestops. I couldn’t sleep last night around 4:00 (am) , so I walked around me and my boyfriend’s apartment for like 20 minutes before I found a Zubat and an Eevee. Oh, and the freezer section at Star Market got me quite a few good Pokémon”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ? 

“I didn’t know about it until after it came out, but I’ve been waiting for something like this for a while”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

“In the card game, probably Nidoran, because it looks like a guinea pig. But in PokémonGo? I love Lapras because it looks like a dinosaur.”

Alvaro/ Dookienator , Steel Gym Leader, Team Mystic, Level 16, Madrid, Spain

What’s the weirdest place that you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in?

“I ended up in a little girl’s birthday party because I was chasing a Rhydon”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out?

“I’ve been waiting for it since I heard the announcement but when I was younger I was also convinced it would happen, so since I was around 7.”

Danielle/ whataninvention, Team Valor, Level 12, Boston, MA

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokémon in ?

“The weirdest place I’ve ever found myself is just walking around Allston, late at night, alone.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ?

“I’ve been waiting for this since the app was announced.”

What’s your favorite Pokémon? 

“I have a lot of Pokémon that I like, but my favorite is probably Vaporeon.”

And finally, here are my stats as a Pokémon trainer.

Olivia/ LivnLove, Team Instinct, Level 7, Meriden, CT

What’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself looking for Pokemon in? 

“Well, it’s not a place necessarily, but sometimes when I find a Pokémon and catch it with the camera app on (so I see it as if it’s there in real life) it’ll be somewhere on my friends body.

“Twice now I’ve caught one on my friend’s boobs.”

How long have you been waiting for this app to come out ?

“I had heard it would be coming out but didn’t know it would be free. Then my Facebook Feed got flooded and friends starting asking to go look for Pokémon, and that was last Thursday, I had no idea, it took me by surprise.”

What’s your favorite Pokemon? 

Rapidash

I hope you all have a safe and fun time out living the adventure. It’s a great way to be social and get out there, so go Catch ‘Em All!